Champions set early pace

WITH the new season underway a few shocks have already been created in the Baines Bagguely North Lancashire and District League.

Current Premier Division leaders Marsh United lost their first match when they went down 2-1 to Bowerham/Furness Utd.

Highgrove easily beat Slyne in their opening match winning 5-1, then followed that with a 6-0 drubbing of Storeys before hitting the buffers, losing 3-2 to Morecambe Royals and then 2-1 to Marsh United.

Carnforth Rangers were the early pace setters, winning their first game before losing to newly promoted Caton United who never stopped running and pressurised Carnforth into making uncharacteristic mistakes, Caton winning 3-1 after losing 9-0 against Marsh United a few days before.

Morecambe Royals have been the most inconsistent side so far, putting up a brilliant performance to defeat Highgrove, then slumping to defeats against Cartmel and Slyne-with-Hest and drawing with Swarthmoor in lacklustre performances.

Bentham have started well and could be a force to be reckoned with after wins against Cartmel, Arnside and Swarthmoor and a creditable draw against Storeys, their only defeat was at the hands of Carnforth.

Ingleton have got off to a very poor start, losing four and drawing just one against Storeys.

The newly merged TIC Dynamos of Overton and Middleton are the only team in Division One with a 100 per cent record after winning all five of their opening games. Boys’ Club, who just escaped relegation last season, have also started well, winning four and drawing one in their opening six games, their only defeat was at the hands of Bolton-le-Sands.

Against Heysham they had to fight back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 with Josh Humpage, ‘keeper turned striker with four goals so far this season, being the main reason for the good early form.

College AFC, who just missed out on promotion last season, got off to a shaky start in Division One by drawing their opening two games against Boys’ Clubs and Kirkby Lonsdale then winning their last three games.

Kirkby Lonsdale’s Alex Taylor has been credited with the fastest goal of the season so far when he scored after just 20 seconds in the game against Bolton-le-Sands which they won 3-1.